Every Life Has Intrinsic Value

TESTIMONIALS

My life already felt full to the brim. I was halfway through nursing school with another year to go, going through a divorce, raising my kids, supporting one of them during leukemia treatment, and I was new to Northern Michigan without much of a support system. I wasn’t so much afraid as I was utterly overwhelmed, unsure where to even begin when I saw the little lines stating I was pregnant. I haven’t yet figured out my insurance situation, didn’t know where to go, and wasn’t sure what to do next. Then I found the pregnancy center. From the first call, they were so kind. They welcomed me in, provided my first ultrasound at no cost, and celebrated my baby from the very beginning. The moment I walked in, I knew that God wanted me there, to remind me that He is the one that will take care of everything, the little sayings on the walls really stood out to me. Then I knew I wasn’t doing this on my own. I’ll never forget sitting next to the love of my life, seeing my daughter on that tiny screen at just six weeks. What I found there was so much more than practical help. So much more than just the necessities. I found a community. People who listened, encouraged, and reminded me that I wasn’t alone. Throughout my pregnancy, I learned that sometimes strength shows up exactly when you need it. I prayed for a way to make it to my graduation and give birth a little earlier and the very next morning, my water broke. I welcomed my beautiful daughter that Sunday, and one week later, I walked across the stage as a nursing graduate. Looking back, I see God’s faithfulness woven through every step. There was another moment I carry with me. On the day she was born, the daily verse appeared on my phone: Psalm 139 about being fearfully and wonderfully made. It made me tear up. It felt like a direct reminder from God that my daughter was exactly who he created her to be. That her life had purpose. That everything was so perfect and exactly how it was supposed to be. That moment gave me a peace I’d been searching for. Just to know that God is in every part of our lives planning out our best days. I go back to this pregnancy center, at times just because the little reminder is all I need to keep going with all the hard things we do each day as mothers.  My daughter has become one of the greatest blessings in my life. She expanded my heart, deepened my faith, and showed me new strength. If my daughter ever reads this, I want her to know she was always deeply loved, long before I knew how anything would work out. She was never an interruption to my story. She became one of the greatest blessings of it. And if another mother or mother to be reads this, I hope she knows that it’s okay to feel overwhelmed, and it’s okay to not know how things will work out but to trust that everything is being worked out for the best. Jeremiah 29:11 says, “For I know the plans I have for you”, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future”. Just accept the love that’s offered, lean on community, and let yourself be surprised by your own strength. You got this mamma.